During the reign of King Xuanhui of Han, Sanchuan Commandery (三川郡) was established.
After the establishment of Han dynasty, in 205 BC, Sanchuan was renamed Henan ("south of the Yellow River").
It administered 22 counties: Luoyang (雒陽), Xingyang (滎陽), Yanshi (偃師), Jing (京), Pingyin (平陰), Zhongmu (中牟), Ping (平), Yangwu (陽武), Henan (河南), Goushi (緱氏), Quan (卷), Yuanwu (原武), Gong (鞏), Gucheng (穀成), Gushi (故市), Mi (密), Xincheng (新城), Kaifeng (開封), Chenggao (成皋), Yuanling (苑陵), Liang (梁) and Xinzheng (新鄭).
[2] In the Western Jin dynasty, the name "Henan Commandery" was restored.
[3] After the establishment of Sui dynasty, Henan Commandery was abolished and merged into Luo Prefecture (洛州).